They say ignorance is bliss, but that can quickly become a problem when you start to ignore yourself. Many young people are so wrapped up in worrying about the lives of others that they often forget about themselves.
People need to change their outlook by looking in, and the best way to do so is through the practice of self-love. Self-love is the simple idea of having a good self-understanding and appreciation. This practice is proven to decrease stress levels and increase happiness and motivation, so it’s only logical that more people should consider implementing it into their lives.
Some people unfamiliar with self-love might brush it off as unnecessary or frivolous, but that belief is just representative of a lack of cognizance of the process and its effectiveness.
“I think it’s important to know who you are and appreciate yourself. Humans are pretty bad at looking at themselves objectively so it [self-love] does help them get a little bit closer to who they are and what they want to be,” senior Ren Sugata said.
Knowledge of who you are as a person can be extremely beneficial in day-to-day life to ensure positive decision-making and personal growth.
Everyone goes through their own trials and tribulations, but it seems like people today have been more profoundly affected by such issues. According to a 2020 study conducted by the CDC (Center for Disease Control), nearly 19% of people in the U.S. have experienced diagnosed depression in their lives. This striking statistic shows that depression could quickly be developing into a modern crisis, if it hasn’t already.
One method for combating depression is self-reflection, which can be very eye-opening for the individual, and can go far in improving your mental fortitude and appreciation of self.
“There’s definitely a lot of unhappy people out there, maybe some self-reflection and understanding of their feelings in an effort to take care of themselves would be beneficial,” senior Jack Biondo said.
The utilization of self-love could go a long way in combating this “depression crisis,” more people just need to consider practicing it to reap the benefits.
Certain individuals might argue that there’s a fine line between self-love and vanity, but the truth is that there’s a notable difference between healthy self-appreciation and egotistical self-centeredness.
“I’d say there’s a bit of narcissism in the world, but I think most people are good at moderating it,” Sugata said.
Having a healthy grasp on one’s own self-image can go a long way, not just individually, but also to improve the way others perceive you.
Many people understand the concept of self-love, but very few recognize how important and effective it can be. It is shown to improve self-confidence, motivation, and happiness. Who wouldn’t want that for themselves? A better state-of-mind is what you’ll find if you feel so inclined…to try self-love sometime.
